Nature's Calendar
In wildlife, it is all about timing. Discover what animals and plants you can watch each month in Argentina.
Humpback, Minke and Sei Whales
Killer Whales
Commerson's dolphins
Dusky dolphin and peale's dolphin
Elephant seals
Sea lions
Magellanic penguin
Rockhopper penguin
Gentoo penguin
Lesser Rheas
Burrowing parrots
Guanacos
Guanacos are a distant relative of the camel and are considered a symbol of Argentina's fauna. They can be found all the way from Tierra del Fuego to San Juan and La Rioja. The best places to watch them are the Valdés Peninsula, and the national parks of Los Glaciares, Perito Moreno and Patagonia (Santa Cruz), Laguna Blanca (Neuquén), Lihué Calel (La Pampa) and Talampaya (La Rioja), Laguna El Diamante (Mendoza) and the Ischigualasto Provincial Park (San Juan).
Patagonian maras
These amusing rodents can only be found in Argentina. A great place to see them is the Valdés Peninsula and Cabo Dos Bahías (Chubut).
Foxes
Armadillos
Andean flamingos
There are two species of flamingos: the Andean flamingo and the Jame's flamingo. Big reproductive colonies can be found in the lakes of the Puna. Brava Lake (La Rioja), Ansenuza National Park (Córdoba), Laguna de Llancanelo (Mendoza) and Pozuelos Lake (Jujuy) are the best places to watch these flamingos.
Vicuna
Vicunas are similar to guanacos, but smaller in size. They live in families in the Puna deserts. You can find them on the way to Tolar Grande (Salta), in the Salinas Grandes (Jujuy), Antofagasta de la Sierra (Catamarca) and in La Rioja.
Birds of the puna
In spring and summer, thousands of aquatic birds gather in the lakes of the Puna. Many will only be found in this environment, such as the giant coo, the horned coot, the Andean goose and the Puna teal. Brava Lake (La Rioja) and Pozuelos Lake (Jujuy) are the best places to spot them.
Cardon cactus blossom
In spring and summer, they get covered with beautiful flowers. You can see them throughout the northeast of Argentina, but the Los Cardones National Park (Salta) is a must-see.
Jacaranda tree blossom
Pink trumpet tree blossom
These trees start to bloom towards the end of the winter and their pink, white and yellow tops, embellishing jungles, parks and streets, are a spectacle worth seeing. In Misiones, they bloom in July, whereas in Corrientes, Chaco, Formosa and the Yungas, they bloom in August and September. In the City of Buenos Aires, the pink trumpet tree blooms in October.
Vicuna shearing festival
Live-shearing is an ancient ritual. Communities gather to herd and shear vicunas taking care not to hurt them. In Catamarca, you can participate in the Chaku in some communities of El Peñón, Calalaste, Antofalla (Antofagasta de la Sierra) and Laguna Blanca.
Migration of the great southern white
Yacare caiman
Yacare caimans are the South American cousins of the crocodile. In Argentina, two species can be spotted throughout the year in the Iberá Wetlands (Corrientes), in La Estrella Wetlands (Formosa), Jaaukanigás (Santa Fe) and the National Parks: Pilcomayo (Formosa), El Impenetrable (Chaco), Iguazú (Misiones) and Mburucuyá (Corrientes).
Capybara
The capybara is the largest living rodent in the world and a symbol of Argentina's fauna. They can be found throughout the year in the Iberá Wetlands (Corrientes), La Estrella Wetlands (Formosa), Jaaukanigás (Santa Fe) and the National Parks: El Palmar (Entre Ríos), El Impenetrable (Chaco) and Mburucuyá (Corrientes).
Mash Deer
The largest native deer in South America. It can be found all year round in the Iberá Wetlands (spotting them from the Laguna Iberá Portal is almost guaranteed) and in the Mburucuyá National Park (Corrientes). If you are lucky, you may also see them in the Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park (Buenos Aires).
Black Howler
They live in groups in the forests and jungles of the north. They can be seen in the Iberá Wetlands (Corrientes), Jaaukanigás (Santa Fe) and in the National Parks: Chaco and El Impenetrable (Chaco), Pilcomayo (Formosa) and Mburucuyá (Corrientes). Listen for their loud howling at dawn and dusk. It is the best way to find them.
Brocket
The brocket is a small deer. You can probably spot them if you walk quietly along the Iberá paths, the Mburucuyá National Park and other protected areas.
Yellow anaconda
Also known as the Paraguayan anaconda (a relative of the green anaconda), the yellow anaconda is the largest serpent in Argentina. It can measure up to four metres! Although they are active throughout the year, it is easier to find them during the winter, when they go out to lie in the sun. The best places to see them are the La Estrella Wetlands (Formosa) and the Iberá Wetlands (Corrientes).
Aquatic birds
They can be watched throughout the year in all regions of the country. At certain times, they gather in huge flocks to feed, especially in La Estrella Wetlands. The bird in the photo is a jaribu, the biggest bird in the Americas. Another good place to see them is in the Ansenuza National Park.
South american coati
Even though they can be found in most parts of the north region of Argentina, the best place to see them is in Iguazú National Park (Misiones), where they usually wander among tourists searching for food. Remember that you shouldn't feed them as they may get sick or bite you.
Toucans
In the Atlantic rainforest, you can find five species of toucans. The toco toucan is the most common species and you can easily spot them while walking around the waterfalls in the Iguazú National Park. Green-billed toucans and chestnut-eared aracaris are also found in the area. During the winter, it is normal to watch them in parks and gardens searching for food.
Hummingbirds
About 12 species of hummingbirds live in the Misiones jungle, and although they are seen all year round, in winter (when there are fewer flowers in the jungle) they visit gardens and parks. In Puerto Iguazú you can see them in flowerbeds, in the flowers of urban trees and in some gardens that receive visits from the public.
Mixed-species Bird Flocks
Butterflies
Ibirá Pytá Blossom
Andean Condor
It is an emblem of our fauna, seeing them fly up close is impressive. You can find them in all the national parks of the Andean Patagonia Route, in the Quebrada del Condorito NP and in the Taninga Tunnels (Córdoba), Tierra del Fuego NP. In the mountains of the northwest it is common to see them in the Los Cardones NP and in the Cabra Corral Dam (Salta).
Magellanic Woodpecker
It is the largest woodpecker in South America and a symbol of the Andean-Patagonian forest. It can be found in the following national parks: Nahuel Huapi, Lanin, Lago Puelo, Los Alerces, Los Glaciares, Perito Moreno and Tierra del Fuego.
Patagonian Huemul
It is the most iconic native deer of Patagonia. The huemul is an endangered species difficult to see, but you might be lucky and spot one on the pathways of the Perito Moreno and Los Glaciares National Parks.
Andean Forest in Autumn
In autumn, just before losing their leaves, the lenga beech, the Antarctic beech, the rauli beech and the Patagonian oak turn yellow, orange and red creating an amazing landscape. You can enjoy the view in the following national parks: Nahuel Huapi, Lanin, Lago Puelo, Los Alerces, Los Glaciares, Perito Moreno and Tierra del Fuego.
Inca Lily Blossom
Migratory Birds
Each year, thousands of migratory birds arrive from Canada, USA and the north of South America to feed or breed. Some of the best places to watch them include Punta Rasa, the Patagonian Coast Road, Costa Atlántica Natural Reserve and Mar Chiquita Lake.
Greater Rheas
The greater rhea is the South American cousin of the ostrich, and you can find them in many areas in Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Entre Ríos and Corrientes. The best places to see them are the Iberá, El Palmar and Mburucuyá National Parks.
Viscacha
The viscacha is a symbol of Argentina's fauna. You can see it all year round in the El Palmar National Park and the Iberá National Park.
Cockspur Coral Tree Blossom
The cockspur coral tree is Argentina's national flower. Its red flowers are amazing to see in spring. You can see them in many places, such as the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve or the Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park.
Victoria Water Lily Blossom
It is the largest aquatic plant in the world. Its large white flowers open at sunset and last for only two days! You can find it in the Esteros del Iberá (Corrientes), in Jaaukanigás (Santa Fe) and in several lagoons and wetlands of the Paraná Delta.
Migration of the Streaked Prochilod
Argentine Flag Butterfly
With white and light blue wings, resembling the Argentine flag, this butterfly is a symbol of our fauna. You can find it in the summer in the El Palmar National Park, the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, in Punta Indio area and other areas in Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos.
Red Deer Rut
In the Luro Park in La Pampa, you can find the red deer rut, a species introduced from Europe that has become part of La Pampa's cultural heritage.
Chilean Flamingos
Chilean flamingos can be found in different places, but the largest reproductive colonies live in Mar Chiquita Lake. It is a must-see spectacle.